The Sound of Silence

Last week, my computer crashed. Luckily, I have a great computer guy (thanks Nick) who keeps me calm because he's so darn low key, I sometimes wonder what would get his blood boiling.  Watching Nick is a little like watching the flight attendant during a rough patch. If he or she is calm it must be OK.  I've only seen the flight attendants act a little nervous once and it was a pretty scary half an hour.  I once sat by an off-duty pilot who was returning home and we chatted briefly- nice guy.  In the last half of our flight we flew through quite a storm and more than once I gripped his arm and nearly ground my new veneers to the width of a dime. But he appeared calm and cool, which assured me greatly that all was well.

I was reminded of my recent experience of working with a client for weeks on a big presentation. She asked if I would sit in the front row so she could look out and quickly see me.  As if I could telepathically send her any last minute instructions! But I realized I could.  Simply being mindful of my own demeanor could reassure or distract my client.  I sat openly without any foot swinging or toe tapping. My hands were loose and free and I made sure my face was bright, alert and smiling.

I have no idea how many times she looked at me- if ever.  But I was sure of my message: "You're doing great." And indeed, she did. However sure I felt FOR her, I knew that she was nervous.  I was with her every step of the way, jumping those hurdles with my entire being. My insides were screaming- Go! But my exterior was a vision of calm.

Perhaps Nick the computer genius screams inwardly as well, hoping all is not lost. (No, thanks to Crashplan we have a back-up) And was that pilot silently sending love notes to his family who he feared he would never see again?  Come to find out, he just wished he were flying the plane. He admitted to me as we deplaned that it was harder sitting there as a passenger than in the cockpit.  I understood completely.  It is harder to sit in the audience and watch than it is to perform.  But I play the part and send my message loud and clear.  How about you? We all send silent messages and knowing what that message is, says it all.